I mentioned yesterday about the EU Commission’s plans to radically overhaul its approach to funding research and innovation.  As expected these were launched in the form of a green paper today which is now open for public consultation until 20 May 2011.  Quick summary as follows ( eGov also has quite a good overview).  The aim is for:

– Greater coherence in the funding of EU research and innovation based on a ‘Common Strategic Framework’

– Greater simplication to release researchers and innovators from red tape (but not like balloons I suspect) when they apply and have to account for funding

– Stronger leadership including a strengthening of the role of the European Research Council

– Maximising impact and value for money

You can also read the Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s, speech at this morning’s press conference or her blog here for more details.  In fact one has to applaud the many and varied ways in which one can participate in the consultation process.  The main European Commission Research and Innovation website is also worth a look – it has to be one of the most colourful sites in the sector.

And for all those Euro-skeptics out there, it seems only appropriate to repeat the Wednesday evening TV mantra of ‘You have to be in it to win it.’